What would that be like? To be claimed by Murphy? To be his? She was desperate to find out, but indecision held her back from addressing the elephant in the room.
Five days ago, Murphy had told her he didn’t want a relationship with her, but his behavior had changed so much over the last few days, she didn’t know what to think anymore. His attentiveness, his caresses,everything, all indicated that he wanted her.
But was she reading too much into his actions, deluding herself into thinking he was interested when he wasn’t? Or could she be right?
‘It feels like you’re mine.’
If it were possible, her face grew hotter as his deep voice rumbled through her mind. The silence grew palpable between them, and Nessa risked a discreet glance up at Murphy, nearly dropping her fork when her eyes met his from across the table.
He was staring right at her, an odd look on his face that she couldn’t quite decipher. Was it hunger? Yearning? Damn, she hoped so. Her breath caught as his gaze heated, sliding over her until her lungs forgot how to function properly.
His attention on her was absolute. Unwavering. Dark and intense, and so warm, she felt a ball of tension form low in her belly, adding to the growing inferno that threatened to burn her to ash. She shifted in her seat, and the air between them crackled with a thick, all-consuming energy.
Reaching for her water with a shaky hand, she took a small sip, hoping the simple action would help calm her frantically beating pulse. She cleared her throat, her body feeling like it had been ignited by flames and was burning at a million degrees.
“How is it?” She nodded toward his plate, feigning interest in the meal. “The adobo?”
Murphy finally looked away from her, taking all the heat with him. A shiver slid down her spine, and she almost whined at the loss. She didn’t, though, otherwise she would have been absolutely mortified.
Cutting up his chicken, Murphy lifted his fork to his mouth, the handle curled in at an odd angle as he took a bite. A second later, he squeezed his eyes shut, groaning appreciatively.
That sound … Nessa’s thighs clenched together, desire building onto that ball in her lower belly until she felt dizzy from the pressure.
“This is amazing.” Murphy scooped up some rice and chicken onto his fork, taking another hearty bite. Watching him enjoy a meal she’d cooked for him gave her a heady feeling. It made her want to storm back into his kitchen and whip up dessert, just to see if he’d devour it with equal enthusiasm.
She had a feeling he would.
She dug back into her own meal, desperate to distract herself from the emotions coursing through her. It was a good thing she’d made three times the amount of food she usually did because Murphy had polished off his plate within a few minutes. Without a word, he went back into the kitchen and fixed another plate before dropping back into his seat.
Maybe it was time to change the subject. “So,” Nessa began. “Has there been any update on Dante?”
Murphy hadn’t strayed too far from her over the last few days unless it was to run a quick errand or to wander the perimeter of her house and her business, searching for any sign of the rogue bear shifter.
If he’d found anything, he hadn’t told her yet.
Murphy scowled down at his broccoli before shaking his head. “Not since Marcus scented him initially. I’m starting to wonder if he was mistaken.”
“Does that happen a lot? Being wrong about a smell?”
“Not with Marcus.” He dug back into his food, a bit more forcefully than before, and Nessa regretted bringing up the subject.
“Hunny and I are hanging out tomorrow,” Nessa began again, trying a different topic. “I’m excited.”
And nervous. They hadn’t spent time together in so long, she wasn’t sure what they’d talk about. She hoped things wouldn’t be awkward. Regardless, she missed Hunny, and was more than ready to rekindle their friendship.
Murphy sent her a small, cocky smile. “I know.”
“That I’m excited?”
“That you’re going to Tank’s cabin tomorrow. It’ll be good for you two to spend time together. I’m sure Hunny misses you.”
She cocked her head to the side, her eyes narrowing speculatively. “Did Tank tell you about our plans?” She knew Murphy hadn’t overheard her conversation with the rabbit shifter; they’d texted this afternoon and she hadn’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet.
“Yes. Told me I’d have to come by and help him cope with two yappers in his home.”
Nessa snorted. “He complains about it so much, but I think he secretly enjoys the yapping.”
“He definitely does.” Murphy dropped his fork onto his empty plate, sitting back in his seat. “Were you planning to visit them after we pick up your SUV tomorrow?”
